Well-sinking apparatus



(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet I.

M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

No. 541,835. a, Patented July 2, 1895.

a t 8 e h s .w t e e h S 6 S w MM m A G N I K Tm S Mu E W (No Model.)

No. 541,835. Patnted July 2, 1895.

(No Mod1.) s Shets-Sheet a.

" 'M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

Patented July 2, 1895.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

M. T. CHAPMAN. A

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

No. 541,835; Patented July 2, 1895.

2 C] c:, j

I mun i (No Model.)

M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS. No. 541,835.

6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

Patented July 2, 18195.

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ill/0 (I II .7 7 of Fig. 3.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

WELL-SiNKlNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,835, dated July 2, .189 5.

Application filed January 10, l 8 91.

T mZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, county of Kane, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Well-Sinking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the apparatus in position for work. Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the apparatus loaded for transportation, and also showing the elevating-ropes in position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the winding-drum. Fig. liS an end elevation of the" winding-drum. Fig. 5 is a detail showing a modification hereinafter explained. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a portion of the winding-drum at line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through a portion of the winding-drum atline Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing the brake-band. Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the winding-drum, some parts being omitted. Fig. 10 is a detail showing the end of the winding-drum. Fig. 11 is a detail, being an end view of the brake-cylinder. Fig. 12 is a detail showing the cam for operating the latch. Fig. 13 is a detail, being a side elevation showing a device for looking the sliding latch. Fig. 14: is a detail, being a section through the lock for the sliding latch of the hub of the adjustingwheel. Fig. 15 is a detail showing the arm for supporting the worm-gear shaft. Fig. 16 is a side elevationshowing the dril1-tubes in operative position. Fig. 17 is a detail, being a section through the swivel. Fig. 18 is a detail, being a section through the packing-ring for the tubes. Fig. 19 is a detail, being a top view of the follower. Fig. 20 is a detail, being a section through the cutter for the casing. Fig. 21 is detail, being a section through one of the pipe-couplings. Fig. 22 is a top View of the cutter for the casing. Fig. 23 is a bottom view of the cutter for the casing. Fig. 24. is a plan view of the rotating mechanism. Fig. 25 is a detail showing the adjustment of the rotary clamps. Fig. 26 is a detail showing a support for the rotary clamp. Fig. 27 is a detail showing my improved cutting blade. Fig. 28 is a vertical section showing Serial No. 377,382. (No model.)

the cutting-blade and the valve. Fig. 29 is a side elevation of the cutting-blade, and Fig. 30 is a bottom view of the cutting-blade.

This invention relates to well sinking apparatus in which a casing and a tube are sunk by hydraulic process, either by rotation or by raising and dropping.

The objects of my invention are to provide improved means and devices for sinking wells for domestic and other uses and employ a portable rig so that the entire apparatus can be transported from place to place rapidly and easily, taken down and erected and my invention, therefore, consists in the several improved appliances and apparatus which are illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter described.

That which I claim as new will be pointed out in the claims.

Similar letters refertosimilar parts throughout the several views.

One part, A, of the derrick consists of two postsjoined togetheras shown in Fig. 1. The other part, A, as shown in Fig. 1, consists of two posts joined together by braces. The two parts A, A, of the derrick in use are hinged together at the top upon a pivot-bolt a. The middle portions of the two parts A, A, are joined together by braces a each of which is connected to the posts of the parts A, A, respectively, by bolts.

B represents'a wagon upon which the winding-drum and rotating apparatus are supported, as best shown in Figsrl and 2.' The winding-d rum is supported as hereinafter described upon a frame A, which frame is secured at its lower end to the wagon B, and at .its upper portion is hinged to the part A of the derrick by means of eye-bolts (L as best shown in Fig. 2.

When the derrick isin position for work, as I is drawn forward, thereby allowing the upper portion of the parts A, A, to descend. To the top portion, preferably upon the bolt a, is secured a block a as show-n in Fig. 2. A

caster-wheel b is mounted in said block a so as to support the rear end of the derrick. The second part A is then placed upon the part A and the whole is then ready for transportation.

When it is desired to raise the derrick, the part A is removed from the part. A and placed with its top end in contact with the top end of the part A. The two parts are then united by means of the bolt (1. Stakes are then driven at a short distance from the wagon 1), and ropes B are secured to the stakes, which ropes pass over pulleys 1) upon the lower ends of the part A of the derrick. The stakes are so driven at the sides of the wagon that the derrick will be raised by either the backward or forward movement of the wagon. The ropes are then wound around the hubs of the wagon and the end of the rope is secured to a spoke, as shown in Fig. 2. The wagon is moved in either direction but is preferably drawn forward, which causes the ropes B to wind upon the hubs Z7 and draw the lower ends of the part Aof the derrick, thereby causing the upper end of the derrick to be raised to the position shown in Fig. 1. The hubs b may be formed speeially for the purpose above described, but the hub of a common wagon wheel is suitable for this purpose. Instead of drawing the wagon forward, the wheels may be raised from the ground and rotated by hand orpower.

The above described construction affords a strong derrick and a means for readilytransporting it, and also provides means for raising the derrick by which a single movement can raise it into operative position. After the parts A, A, are raised into proper position, the braces a are secured in place.

Upon the frame A is secured a frame 0, preferably composed of angle-iron, as shown. Upon this frame 0, as shown in Fig. 3, is mounted in suitable bearingsashaft O. This shaft C, as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a sprocket-wheel c which is driven by means of a drivechain c which chain is driven by a second sprocket-wheel c which can be rotated by any suitable driving mechanism. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it is designed to be rotated by means of a tumbling-rod. "The wheel c is mounted upon a shaft. Not shown.

D represents the winding-drum which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 0.

d represents a head which is secured upon the shaft 0 and rotates with it. This head is rotated, as shown in. Fig. 3, near one end of the drum D. The drum D is provided with a sliding latch D which extends through the entire length of the drum. One end of this latch is adapted to engage with the head (I so that the drum will be rotated by the rotation of the head d. The opposite end of thelatch D is provided with a pin 61, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The rope D as shown in Fig.1, is wound around the drum D and passes over the pulley at the top of the derrick, and its end is attached to the drill tube.

Upon the shaft 0 at the opposite end of the drum D from the head dis loosely mounted a gear-wheel E, whose hub is provided with a cam-groove e adapted to receive the pin d of the latch D, as shown in Fig. This groove e does not extend entirely around the hub of the wheel, as shown in my formerpatent, No.

443,070. This groove e through the greater portion of its length is parallel to the end of the winding drum; that is, it is at an equal distance from said winding drum. Nearone end this groove recedes from the winding drum, thereby forming a cam e for withdrawing the latch D from engagement with the rotating head d. The wheel E is held stationary by the worm gear F, as hereinafter described.

The rotation of the shaft 0 and head d rotates the drum D by means of the latch D until the latch D is drawn away from the head at by the cam e. \Vhen the latch D is withdrawn from the head d,the weightof the drill upon the rope D will cause the drum D to unwind very rapidly until the latch D again engages with the head d.

To prevent injury while regulating tension of the brake-band upon the cylinder K, as hereinafter described, a stop E is placed at the end of the groove 2 in position to engage with the latch D when it returns. This stop may be provided with a cushion e which may be made of rubber or any other suitable material.

A worm F is mounted upon a shaftf upon which it is movable longitudinally. The shaft f may be square, or provided with a feather, or other suitable means, to cause the worm F to relate only when the shaft f is rotated. The shaftfat its lower end is mounted in a suitable bearing f which is pivoted to the frame 0', as best shown in Fig. 6. The upper end of the shaftf passes through an eccentric disk F. The ring of this eccentric F is formed with, or secured to, an arm F which is secured to the frame 0'. The eccentric disk F is provided with a handle f by which it can be shifted. Upon the shaftf above the working position of the worm F is a cushion g against which the end of the worm presses. Below the worm F around the shaftfis a spring g which abuts against the worm F and the bearingf" and normally holds the worm in working position. When the winding drum is in operation, the worm F holds the wheel E stationary so that when the drum and latch D are rotated the wheel E will not be rotated. The position of the cam e can be adjusted as necessary to re= lease the drum Fatthe properpoint by means of the hand-wheel and worm F. After each withdrawal of the latch the winding.

drum rotates backward rapidly, and when the latch D again engages with the "stop E a strain is given to the wheel E and worm-gear F and the cushion g relieves the worm F so that the gcar-teeth will not be injured by such strain.

If at any time it is desired to wind the rope ICC ITO

continuously upon the drum D, the lock G,

(Figgl3) is thrown into the cam groove 6, as

indicated, thusengaging latch D,shown' in Fig.3, and causing the gear wheel E to rotate. At such time its engagement with the worm F will be released by the spring g which can slide downwardly upon the shaftf until the teeth of the wheel E and Worm F are disengaged. W

In case the worm F has not been disengaged from gear wheel E, as described, the worm F will be forced downward by the gear wheel E upon spring'g until disengaged from wheel E, and thereby avoiding breakage.

The operator may at any time throw theworm F out of engagementwith the wheel E by turning the eccentric F by means of the handle f of allowing the drum to rotate continuously for the purposeof raising the tubeor casing, or other weight. V

In order to prevent the accidental withdrawal of the latch D whenthe drumis being rotated continuously for the purpose above stated, a lock G is pivoted upon the hub of the wheel E, as best shown in Fig. 13, in such position that it can extend across the groove 2. The lock is provided with two holes 9 as best shown in Fig. 14, which are adapted to receive a spring pin g and hold the lock G either in the position shown in Fig. 1 3, or the position there indicated by dotted lines.

Then the lock G is in the position shown in Fig. 1 3,:it prevents the pin d from moving in the groove 6 toengage with the came by which it would be withdrawn, but when the -lock is in the position indicated in Fig. 13 by dottedlines, the lock does not interfere with the workingof the latch D and pin d. The

pin 9 can be pushed backwardly for the pur- 1 pose of shifting the lock Gbyanyinstrument No. 382,689, granted to' me May 15, 1888, as

they apply to the sliding latch and the sliding latch may be located either in the windisprovidedpwijth a roller or rollers hf adapted to enter the groove h. By means of this lever H the wheel E canl be moved longitudinally upon the shaftpthereby withdrawing the latch TD from-engagement with the head (1 toperwinding drum D.

niiuthelhead to rotate without rotating the with the sideof the rotating head and such s 's m ir rld' tinas I bre k s me f This may be done for the purpose It may, happen sometimes that when" the latch D 'is forced toward the rotating'head ql by the, engagement of said latch with its operating groove 6, thatsu ch latch would engage that is, to slide longitudinally upon the shaft O should the latch D engage with the side of the rotating head (1, and thereby prevent accident or breakage. As shown in Fig. 5 a weight I-l'tmay be placed upon ,the lever H to normally hold the wheel E in the operative position and to permit it to yield as above described. If desired, the spring H may be connected with the lever instead of operating directlyupon the hub of the wheel E. Either the weight or aspring may he used, or, if desired, in some cases both may be employed.

I indicates a brake-band for the winding drum D; and 1 indicates the brake-band for a cylinder K. The cylinder K is loosely mounted upon one end of the drum D and extends over the headd which has a circular disk d tosupport the cylinder K. The brake bands I and I are similarin construction and I will, therefore, describe them. together. Each brake-band consists of a band which is looped. around the drum or cylinder, as shown in Figs. .3, 7, and 8, one looped end passing through the other looped end, as best shown in Fig. 8. One endof each brake-band is attached to the frame 0 byan eye-bolt t" and theother end of each brake-band is attached to an eye-bolt t' which passes through the upper portion of the frame O and through a lever I? and is provided with a hand-wheel t on its upper portion above the lever 1 Each lever I in its normal position rests squarelyupon the frame 0', as shown in Fig. 7. The tension of each brake-baud I, I, can be adjusted by means of its hand-wheel 2 By making the brakebands in the form shown and passing one end through the loop of the other, an even tension is given to such brake-bands entirely around the drum or cylinder. The two ends of each brake-band extend away from the drum or cylinder in opposite directions and at a tangent to the circu tnference of the said drum or cylinder and also at right-anglesto the shaft 0. v This construction and arrangement holds the drum, or cyl inde g centrally so that there is no sidewise strain on the drum or cylinder, By. looping one end of the brake-band through the other, such a tension'is given to the brake-band that it has no tendency to twist the drum or cylinder. I i

The brake'band I is for the purpose of stopping the rotation of the drum Dand inciden tally keeping said drum ,from moving longitudinally, When it is desired to suddenly stop the drum, theoperator can press downward uppn the lever 1 connected with such brake-band I, which will tighten the band I and stop the tit um This brake-band is also for the purpose of aidingin stopping the backwardrotationof the drumaftereachrelease.

ITO

Aspring J is mounted upon a rod j which passes through the lever I of this brake band I and is provided with a set-screwy, as shown in Fig. 4. The lower end of the spring J abuts against an enlargement of the rod j. The upper end of the spring J abuts against a capj upon the link J, which link is attached to the wagon, or to any other fixed part. This spring J keeps the tension upon the brake-band 1. Heretofore a lever and weight have been used for a similar purpose, as shown in my former patent, No. 371,548, dated October 18, 188 7. The weights so used rebound with the blow upon the winding drum so that an even tension is not given to the brake-band. By the use ofaspring Jan even tension is maintained at all times.

The cylinder K is for the purpose of stopping the backward rotation of the drum D which. is accomplished as follows: The end of the drum D is provided with a cam I which is adapted to be engaged by a cam 7a upon the interior of the cylinder K. When the latch D is released from the rotating head (1, and the drum D unwinds, the cam will engage with the cam Z before the latch D can engage with the head d, thereby tending to stop the drum D. The brake-band I is set firmly by means of the hand-wheel i so that the cylinder K will not rotate. The return blow of the drum is thereby taken up by'the cylinder K and the frame 0 through the brake-band I so that no shock is imparted to the head d or the driving apparatus. The tension of the brake-band 1 is just sufficient to allow the cylinder K to slip slightly and thereby rotate backwardly sufficiently to always keep the cam 70 slightly in advance of the points of engagement of the sliding latch D with the cam Z. The brake-band t", as hereinbefore described, is peculiarly adapted for holding the cylinder K, as it does not tend to twist it upon the drum D.

M represents the well casing or tubing. This casing or tubing is provided with a cutter m at its lower end of peculiar construction as hereinafter described.

N represents the drill tube. This tube is provided with a cutter n of peculiar construction as hereinafter described. Upon the upper end of the tube N is a swivel head 0 provided with an eye 0 adapted to receive the rope D by which it is supported and by which it can be raised or dropped by the winding drum as before described. The swivel head 0 is made in the form shown in Fig. 17 hav-' ing a passage 0' which is bent atright angles so that a pipe 0 can be connected at one side and so that the upper section of the tube N can be connected in the under side. The

head 0 around the passage 0 in the under side is counter-sunk to receive a head n on the upper section of the tube N. After the head'n has been inserted in the counter-sink, a packing ring n is placed around the tube N beneath the head a and a screw-threaded follower N is screwed into the counter-sink sections, as shown in Fig. 19.

securing the head a in the head 0. This construction permits the tube N to turn freely.

Upon the upper end of the tubing or casing- M is a head M' through which the tube N can pass. This head M is secured on or coupled to the upper section of the tubing M and is provided with a side opening m to which a pipe or hose m may be coupled. Water is forced into the tubing M through the hose m and descends through the tubing outside of the tube N. To prevent the water from escaping at the top of the coupling M around the tube N, a follower L is screwed into the coupling M. This follower is made in two It is provided with a packing ring, Z as shown in Fig. 18-, which fits around the tube N.

In order to rotate either the tubing M or the tube N, I provide a rotating mechanism which is mounted upon the wagon B beneath its platform,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The rotating mechanism is like that shown in Patent No. 409,272, granted to me August 20, 1889, with the exception of parts hereinafter particularly specified. A plate P is rotated by a suitable gearing which is driven from the shaft upon which the sprocket wheel 0 is mounted. This driving gear is not shown in detail as any suitable gearing for communieating from the sprocket wheel a to the plate P may be employed. Upon the plate P may be secured two uprights p, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2t which are adapted to operate clamping bars, as shown in my Patent No. 443,070, dated December 16, 1890. The uprights p need not be used and I have accordingly not shown them in Fig. 2.

Upon the plate P are mounted two sliding blocks P. Best shown in Fig. 24. These sliding blocks are adapted to be moved toward each other, or from each other, by screwthreaded bolts, as fully set forth in my former patent. Upon each sliding block P is mounted a plate Q. This plate is pivotally supported upon the block P by a central pivot 19. Each block Q is provided with two cars q, as shown in Figs. 24, 25 and 26. In these ears q are mounted clamping jaws R, like those described in my said former patent, No. 409,272. The block or plate Q is provided with holes q as best shown in Fig. 26 through which adjusting bolts 19 can be passed. Each plate Q can be turned upon its pivot 19 to place its clamping jaws R at any desired angle, as shown in Fig. 25, and be secured in place by the bolts 19 As shown in my former patent, the clampings jaws R rotate freely with the'downward or upward movement of the tubing M, or tube N, which they may be rotating. By placing the jaws R upon the swinging blocks Q, which are adjustable in different positions, the jaws R can be placed at an angle that will cause the jaws to force the tubing or tube downward as the plate P is rotated, or in a horizontal position so that they will not act to force the tube or tubing downward or into ing M is provided with spiral and downwardly extending arms m which are provided'with cutting edges, as shown in Figs. 16 and 20.

These arms, extending down spirallyin such form that the drill tube N can readily pass through them, are peculiarly adapted to cut by rotation,as shown in Fig. 16, but may also be employed to cut by raising and dropping.

The cutter n is secured upon the lower end of the tube N and its lower end is provided with a cutting edge S, as best shown in Figs.

29 and 30. On each side of this cutting edge S the lower end of the cutter n is open, as best shown in Fig. 30, so that water can freely pass directly upward into the cutter n. This cutter 11. and cutting edge S are adapted to be used as shown in Fig. 29. In some cases, however, it is desirable to provide expansion wings or blades. The expansion blades T can be secured to the cutting edge S by the pivot 25 passing through the cutting edge S and the blade T, as shown in Figs. 27 and 28,

so that the descent of the drill-tube will expand the blades T.

In the upper end of the cutter head 77, is mounted a valve U, as best shown in Fig. 28. This valve is preferably made in the form shown in Patent No. 373,440, granted to myself and Mark O. Chapman November 22, 1887, and is also clearly shown in Fig. 21.

Any number or all of the couplings of the tube N may be provided with valves U. The tubing M may be sunk by rotation by means of the rotating plate P already described, and the tube N may be sunk by being raised or dropped by means of the winding drum before described. Water is forced downward through the tubing M assisting the cutters m and furnishing a water supply to the bottom of the well. When the tube N is dropped, water is forced upwardly through the large openings in the bottom of the cutter n, and when the tube N is raised by the winding drum before described, the water therein is also lifted, the valves U preventing its escape downward. By continuously forcing water down the tubing M and drawing it upwardly through the tube N, there is a constant supply at all times at the point of cutting. A portion of the water forced down the tube N also escapes upwardly outside of said tube, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 16. The

cutter n is peculiarly adapted to this process of sinking a well as it has a large opening at the bottom through which water and the cuttings can be readily forced. Itis also adapted to the jetting process in which water is forced downward through the tube N as it permits the discharge of water at the point of cutting I where it is most needed. In such case the valves U must be omitted.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the apparatus described is complete and adapted to be putin pos'itionforoperation with very little labor, and that the winding drum is peculiarly adapted to the operation of the drill tube N as used in hydraulic well sinking; that the tube N with its coupling N at the top and cutter n at the bottom is peculiarly adapted to be rotated by the rotating mechanism above described, said rotating mechanism being adapted to assist in forcing down or in retarding the descent of the said tube as may be necessary; that the form of the cutterm is such that the drill tubeN can readily work through it while its arms m are adapted to enlarge the well; and that the cutters It and m are peculiarly adapted for the discharge and lifting of the water as necessary for my process. j

The construction and arrangement of the winding drum, rotating head, and movable latch which I have shown is one which I have successfully employed, and is one of the best known to me, but I do not limit the use of the cam formoving the latch to the particular arrangement of winding drum, rotating head, and movable latch, as the essential feature is that the cam be upon a part or wheel which can be fixed relatively to the winding drum, that is, while it is adjustable to cause the latch to operate at certain points, it is fixed in operation relatively to the other parts; and that it be adapted to release the drum on the forward rotation of said drum and to couple the head and drum after a partial backward rotation.

By placinga stop in the cam groove 6 with which the latch of the winding drum will engage upon the backward rotation of the winding drum, the shock or jar caused to the machinery by engagement of the latchdirectly with the rotating head is avoided and such shock or jar is given to the wheel E and worm F, which is mounted upon the frame of the machine.

Heretofore, considerable difficulty has been experienced on account of the jar given to IIO the driving shaft and rotating head by the engagement of the latch with the rotating head on the backward rotation of the winding drum. Such jar greatly injures the machinery and when the shaft 0 is driven by horse power, causes the shock to be transmitted to the shoulders of the draft animals, thereby causing the shoulders of the draft animals to become sore. My improved apparatus is designed to avoid such difficulties. When the apparatus is driven by steam power the shock has heretofore been found injurious to such power driving mechanism.

By placing a lock, such as the lock G, upon the cam-groove to prevent the latch from moving forward to the cam'portion, which withdraws thelatch from the winding drum, the winding drum may be continuously rotated when the Wheel which carries the cam is free to rotate for the purpose of winding-up. the rope, and the latch cannot be accidentally withdrawn by its engagement with the camgroove at such time.

By providing the wheel which carries the cam with a cushioned device for holding it stationary, the shock or jar which results from the backward rotation of the drum is in large part overcome.

By engaging the wheel which carries the cam-groove by a worm by which the wheel can be adjusted; and by providingsaid worm with a yielding; support, the worm will be antomatically disengaged from said wheel if the drum is continuously rotated forward through successive rotations. The cushion on one side of the worm which engages the wheel also relieves the worm of a great part of the strain resulting from the backward rotation of the winding drum and thereby prevents injury.

By means of the eccentric support for the shaft of the worm, the worm can be readily thrown into and out of engagement with the adjusting wheel.

By providingafriction stop for stoppingthe winding drum near the end of its backward rotation, such as the cylinder and the engaging cams, the backward rotation of the drum is retarded, if not stopped, prior to the time when the latch again couples the winding drum and rotating head. This prevents the blow of the backward rotation of the drum from being received by the driving mechanism as it overcomes such blow by friction contact faces supported upon the frame. By maintaining the cylinder in position by a friction device or brake band, which may be set at any desired tension, the cylinder will be driven backward by the successive backward rotations of the drum to cause the friction contact-faces or cams to engage each other at, or just prior to, the time when the latch couples the drum and rotating head. The form of the brake-band prevents twisting of the cylinder which would increase the friction.

By using rotatable clamping jaws adapted to engage the tube or tubing for the purpose of rotating it, the tube or tubing can move longitudinally as in my former patents, and by supporting such rotatable jaws upon plates adapted to be'adjusted to bring the clamping jaws at any desired angle the jaws may be made to act to assist in forcing down the tube, or to lift on the tube, that is, to force the tube longitudinallyin either direction, as desired.

The necessity of forcing the tube or tubing longitudinally has already been explained in my previous patents, and is briefly this: At times it is necessary to force the tube downward to make the cutters out fast. At other times when the well has been sunk to a considerable distance, it is necessary to lift the tube to relieve the cutters of the great weight of the long tubeand other circumstances may also necessitate the use of means for forcing the tube longitudinally. By the use of a follower, made in sections, in the head M, the head M may be readily packed around the tubing M without interfering with the operation of the large tubing and small tube. By using a cutter head 'n having itslower end open, with a cutting edge secured in said open end, there is a free passage for water upward through said cutter which is necessary in the process known as hydraulic well-drilling. It also allows the water to readily escape from below the cutter head, so that the water in the bottom of the well does not break the force of the blow when the tube is raised and dropped. It also enables the passage upward of cuttings of considerable size.

If desired, for some purposes expansion blades may be placed directly upon the blade S which is only desirable under certain circumstances. The peculiar form of the cutter for the large tubing enables the cutter to cut rapidly and adapts the cutter to permit the passage of the smaller tube a through said cutter. The spiral and downwardly extending arms are the essential features of the present invention in this regard.

By making the teeth of the wheel E parallel to its axis, and by adapting the teeth of the worm F to engage with such teeth on the wheel E, the wheel E may be moved in the line of its axis without disengaging the worm from the wheel.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a derrick consisting of two parts A, A pivoted together at the top, a caster wheel detachably secured to the said pivot, and a wagon upon which one of said parts of the derrick is movably supported, whereby the derrick can be readily raised into operative position, and lowered into position for transportation, the caster-wheel serving to support the pivoted end of said derrick, substantially as described.

2. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a derrick consisting of the parts A, A, pivoted together at their top portions, and provided at said pivotal end with a supporting castenwheel, of a wheeled truck or wagon, standards mounted-on said wagon, and supporting one part of the derrick intermediate its ends, pulleys secured to the lower ends of one of said parts, elongated hubs on the front wheels of the wagon, and suitably fastened elevating ropes passing over the pulleys and around, the elongated hubs, and adapted to raise the derrick in an upright position when the hubs are revolved, substantially as described.

. 3. In a Well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, of a rotating head, a laterally sliding latch carried by said drum, a relatively fixed wheel provided with a non-continuous cam-groove adapted to be engaged by said latch to release the drum on its forward rotation, and means for coupling the rotating head and drum after a partial backward rotation, substantially as described.

4. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, and a rotating latch for engaging and disengagingthe Windhead, of a sliding latch, a relatively fixed wheel havinganon-continuouscam groove in its hub adapted to be engaged by the sliding latch, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, and a rotating driving head d, of a sliding latch a relatively fixed wheel having a non-continuous camgroove with a stop, as E adapted to receive the return force of the drum, substantially as described.

6. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, a rotating driving head and an operatinglatch, of a relatively fixed wheel having a cam groove adapted to operate said latch and a stop adapted to be engaged by the latch on the return of the drum, substantially as specified.

'7. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, a rotating driving head, and an operating latch, of an operating cam and a lock adapted to prevent the operation of said latch, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum and a rotating head, of a movable-latch, a wheel provided with a cam-groove adapted to be engaged by said latch, and a lock to prevent the movement of the latch in said groove and the release of the winding drum whereby the winding drum may be continuously rotated when the wheel is free to rotate, substantially as specified.

9. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum and rotating head, of a movable latch, a wheel having a hub provided with a cam groove, a stop to limit the backward rotation of the winding drum, and a cushioned devicefor holding said gheel relatively fixed, substantially as specied.

10. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, and a rotating head, of a movable latch, a wheel having an operating cam adapted to be engaged by said latch, Worm gear adapted to engage with said wheel, a shaft upon which said worm gear can slide longitudinally, a cushion g on one side of said worm, and a spring g on the opposite side of said worm, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

, 11. In a Well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, and'a rotating head, of a movable latch, a wheel having an operating cam adapted to be engaged by said latch, a sliding worm adapted to be engaged with said wheel, a shaft upon which said worm is supported and an eccentric for supporting one end of said shaft whereby the worm can be engaged with or disengaged from the wheel, substantially as specified.

12. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination with a Winding drum, a rotating head, a movable latch and devices for moving said ing drum, of a cylinder loosely mounted on the drum and devices for locking the cylinder and drum together, and a band-brake acting on the cylinder, whereby the backward rotation of the winding drum is retarded, substantially as described.

13. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, a rotating head, a movable latch and devices for moving said latch to engage and disengage the winding drum, of a cylinder K, engaging cams Z and 70, a brake-band I, and a brake-lever I substantially as specified.

14. In a Well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, a rotating head,

a movable latch, and devices for moving said latch to engage'and disengage said winding drum, of a cylinder K, cams Z, and 7t, abrakeband for saiddrum, said band being looped around the cylinder and having one end passing through the other end whereby an even tension without tendency to twist is given to the brake, substantially as specified.

15. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, of a brake-band which is. looped around the drum, and has one end passed through the other looped end, substantially as specified.

16. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a Winding drum, and rotating head, of a movable latch, a Wheel having a non-continuous cam-groove adapted to operate said latch, a weighted lever for moving said wheel longitudinally upon its shaft, and a spring H, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In a well-sinking apparatus, the combination with a winding drum, rotating head and an operatinglatch, a wheel having a noncontinuous cam-groove, adapted to operate the latch and engage a Worm, said wheel having teeth approximately parallel with its axis and adapted to be moved longitudinally therer with, withoutdisengaging the worm, substantially as described.

18. In a well sinking apparatus, the combi nation with a winding drum, and a rotating head and movable latch, of awheel E having a cam adapted to operate said latch, a lock upon said wheel adapted to be locked in either operative .or inoperative position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

19. In a well sinking apparatus, the combination with a tube or tubing having a cutter on its lower end, of a rotatable plate, blocks P supported upon said rotatable plate, rot-atable clamping jaws R, and supporting plates Q for said jaws, adapted to be adjusted to bring the clamping jaws at any desired angle, substantially as specified.

20. In a Wellsinking apparatus, the combination with a tube or tubing, of a rotatable plate and rotatable clamping jaws supported upon said plate and adapted to be adjusted at an angle to the tube or tubing to cause said jaws to act to force said tube or tubing longitudinally when rotated by said clamping holding the wheel E in action with the windjaws, substantially as specified. ing drum D, and sliding latch D, substam 21. In a wellsinking apparatus, the combitially as specified. nation of a Wagon, and a winding drum MATTHEW 'I. CHAPMAN. 5 mounted thereon, of a non-contin nous grooved Witnesses:

cam-Wheel as E, levei' H, spring H, or eqn iva- FRANK R. JONES, lent flexible mechanism for automatically E. \V. DUNTON. 

